Fellsmere, Barefoot Bay running low-budget campaigns

BAREFOOT BAY — Former Trustee Wilma Weglein, who is seeking a return to the Recreation District board in the Nov. 8 elections, has pulled into the financial lead so far among four candidates, citing a $1,070 war chest, according to reports released Friday by the Brevard County Elections Office for the Oct. 1-14 reporting period.

"People are very generous in coming forward," she said Friday. "I'm getting a good response from people I haven't even seen before."

Barefoot Bay retiree Mary Weller, in fact, loaned Weglein and fellow challenger Severio "Sonny" Raponi $500 each, their largest single contribution, toward their efforts to win two contested seats on the district's five-member Board of Trustees.

Incumbent Louise Crouse, meanwhile, reported $100 in her campaign, a loan from herself, while incumbent Tom Guinther hasn't sought any financing and wasn't required to submit a report.

Campaigning in Fellsmere, meanwhile, has taken a mellower pace, with City Council incumbent Susan Adams claiming the lead with a $150 fund — all of it loaned from herself. She tallied $50 of that in the latest report.

Adams and fellow incumbent Sara Savage are defending their two seats from a challenge by resident John Luke.

Neither Savage nor Luke have tallied any contributions since early September, when Savage loaned herself $75 and Luke loaned himself $100.FELLSMERE CITY COUNCILFellsmere City Council candidates filed campaign finance reports for the Oct. 1 through 14 reporting period as follows:SUSAN ADAMS, incumbentOct. 1-14Contributions: $0